Apply for
PARENT VISA
Parent Visas for Australia – Reunite Your Family Long-Term
Parent visas allow parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia long-term or permanently with their children. Depending on the pathway you choose, you can trade off time vs cost – from lower-fee visas with very long queues, to faster but more expensive contributory options, and temporary visas that allow extended visits.
At Knowbal Migration, we assist families in Australia and abroad to navigate the parent visa process. We help determine the best pathway, gather the necessary supporting documents, and submit decision-ready applications—especially in cases involving long-distance family situations, cultural considerations, or previous visa challenges.
TYPES OF
PARENT VISA
| Feature | Contributory Parent Visa – Subclass 143 | Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa – Subclass 173 | Contributory Aged Parent Visa – Subclass 884 / 864 | Aged Parent Visa – Subclass 804 | Parent Visa – Subclass 103 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Permanent, contributory visa for parents who want to live in Australia indefinitely with their settled child and are prepared for higher government charges in exchange for faster processing than non-contributory options. | Temporary contributory visa giving parents up to 2 years in Australia, usually as a first step before applying for the permanent 143 visa and spreading costs over two stages. | For aged parents who meet the Australian age-pension age and want a contributory pathway: 884 is temporary (2 years), 864 is permanent, both generally faster than non-contributory aged parent options. | Non-contributory permanent visa for aged parents already in Australia who want to stay long term with their settled child, accepting very long queues instead of higher visa charges. | Non-contributory offshore permanent parent visa with lower fees but very long waiting times. Parents applying can be inside Australia or outside. |
| Permanent or temporary | Permanent resident visa from grant. | Temporary visa (up to 2 years) that leads to permanent 143 if you apply in time. | 884 = temporary (2 years); 864 = permanent. Often used as a 2-step path to permanent residence. | Permanent resident visa. | Permanent resident visa. |
| Applicant location at time of application | Can generally be in or outside Australia when lodging (subject to conditions); many applicants start offshore or transition from 173. | Can be in or outside Australia when applying, but must usually be outside Australia at decision. | For aged parents who are in Australia when they apply; they usually receive a bridging visa while waiting. | Must be in Australia on a valid visa at lodgement; typically remains on a bridging visa for many years while queued. | You can be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply for the visa. |
| Age requirement | No specific age requirement – open to parents of any age who meet other criteria. | No specific age requirement – available to non-aged parents as well. | Primary applicant must meet the “aged” requirement (age-pension age – currently around 67; check latest rules). | Primary applicant must be an aged parent (meeting Australian age-pension age). | No specific age requirement – can be used for younger or older parents. |
| Balance of Family Test | Yes – required in most cases (unless using specific retiree concessions). | Yes – required; at least half of the eligible children must live in Australia, or more in Australia than any other single country. | Yes – required for contributory aged parent pathways. | Yes – required. | Yes – required. |
| Assurance of Support (AoS) | AoS generally required before permanent visa grant – sponsor (or another assurer) provides a financial undertaking and bond. | Usually tied to the permanent stage – AoS is typically required when moving to the 143 visa. | AoS required for the permanent 864 stage; temporary 884 usually leads into this. | AoS generally required for this permanent non-contributory visa as well. | AoS generally required before grant of this permanent parent visa. |
| Queue / processing time (high level) | Contributory, capped and queued – still several years, but usually significantly faster than 103/804. | Also contributory and queued; processing tied to the same capped program as 143, but visa itself is temporary. | Contributory and queued; aged onshore pathways often processed in fewer years than non-contributory 804. | Non-contributory and queued – very long waits (often decades), and many applicants may not receive a final decision within their lifetime. | Similar non-contributory queue to 804, with very lengthy processing times due to annual caps. |
| Stay period once granted | Stay indefinitely in Australia as a permanent resident. | Stay in Australia for up to 2 years; must apply for 143 before expiry for a permanent outcome. | 884: temporary stay up to 2 years; 864: then permanent, indefinite stay in Australia. | Permanent stay in Australia once granted. | Permanent stay in Australia once granted. |
| Work & study rights | Full work and study rights as a permanent resident. | Can work and study in Australia for 2 years (no access to government income support). | Temporary 884 and permanent 864 allow work and study; 864 holders are permanent residents. | Full work and study rights as a permanent resident. | Full work and study rights as a permanent resident. |
| Medicare / benefits | Access to Medicare as a permanent resident; over time may access some social security (subject to waiting periods). | Can usually enrol in Medicare while holding 173, but no broader welfare support. | 864 permanent visa gives Medicare + PR benefits; 884 holders may be able to enrol in Medicare while on the temporary visa. | Permanent residents with access to Medicare; long queues mean many spend years on a bridging visa before grant. | Permanent residents with Medicare access after grant; no Medicare while waiting offshore. |
| When can you apply? (high level) | When you have a settled Australian citizen/PR/eligible NZ child, meet Balance of Family, AoS, health & character, and can afford contributory charges. | When you qualify for a contributory parent visa but prefer a 2-year temporary stage first to experience Australia or spread fees, and you meet Balance of Family and other criteria. | When at least one parent is aged (pension age), in Australia, meets Balance of Family and contributory requirements, and wants an onshore pathway with bridging rights. | When an aged parent is already in Australia, meets Balance of Family and other criteria, and the family is comfortable with a very long queue rather than contributory fees. | When parents are overseas, meet Balance of Family, have a settled sponsor in Australia and want a lower-fee but slow permanent option. |
The Knowbal Visa Application Process
Applying for the Parent Visa can feel complicated, but Knowbal is here to support you at every stage. Here’s how we simplify the application process
Initial Consultation
We start by reviewing your study history, current visa status, and eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa. This personalised consultation helps us understand your situation and plan the best application approach for you.
Assigning an Expert Agent
Once we assess your case, you’ll be assigned a dedicated migration expert. This professional will be your main point of contact, guiding you through each step and answering your questions promptly.
Document Preparation
Gathering and organising your documents correctly is critical. Knowbal helps you prepare all necessary paperwork, including your Confirmation of Enrolment, academic transcripts, proof of completion, health insurance, and identity documents to avoid delays or errors.
Submitting the Application
We lodge your visa application on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring everything complies with visa requirements and your information is accurately presented.
Ongoing Updates
Throughout the processing period, Knowbal monitors your application and keeps you informed. Should the Department request additional information, we will assist you promptly to ensure a smooth process.
FAQs
It usually comes down to time vs cost.
- Non-contributory visas (103, 804): lower government fees, but extremely long queues (often decades).
Contributory visas (143, 173, 864/884): much higher fees, but processing is generally much faster.
We look at your parents’ age, health, budget and timeframe and model what each option realistically means for your family before you commit
For some families, yes – especially where parents are relatively younger and you treat the Parent visa as a long-term anchor while using visitor or 870 visas in the meantime. For others, the wait is so long that a permanent Parent visa no longer makes sense. Our first step is an honest assessment of your parents’ age and likely queue time, so you’re not paying large fees for a visa that may never be finalised in their lifetime.
Starting with a temporary stage (173 or 884) spreads the cost over two applications and can give parents time in Australia before committing to the permanent stage. Going direct to 143 or 864 can be cleaner and slightly cheaper overall, but requires more funds upfront. We normally compare both paths for you – total cost, timing, travel plans – then recommend the structure that fits your finances and goals.
The Balance of Family Test compares where all your parents’ children live. In simple terms, they usually need at least half of their children living permanently in Australia, or more children in Australia than in any other single country. We map out each child’s status (citizen, PR, temporary, overseas) and confirm whether the test is met before you spend money on a Parent visa.
In many cases, yes. Parents can often continue to come on Visitor visas or, in some situations, apply for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) 870 while a permanent Parent visa is sitting in the queue. The key is to manage conditions, lengths of stay and previous travel carefully so future applications aren’t affected. We design a visit + visa strategy so they can spend meaningful time here without breaching rules.
Onshore options can allow eligible “aged” parents to stay in Australia on a bridging visa while they wait, which many families value. Offshore options suit parents who are still living overseas, are not yet aged, or prefer to wait outside Australia. The right choice depends on current visas, age, health, travel flexibility and risk appetite – we step through each factor with you before deciding where to lodge.
Families are often surprised by extras such as:
- Assurance of Support (AoS) bonds
- Private health insurance for parents
Medicals and police checks
Blogs
Can I Apply 485 Visa Without IELTS? Know in this Guide
Key Takeaways: IELTS is not compulsory. The 485 visa accepts PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or OET as valid alternatives....
2025–26 State and Territory Nomination Allocations
TL;DR Australia has allocated 20,350 total nomination places for 2025–26. This is a 5,910-place reduction compared to 2024–25. VIC, NSW,...
Australian Permanent Residency: Key Insights and Pathways
TL;DR PR Visa Pathways: Options include family-stream visas (partner, parent, child), work-stream visas (skilled, employer-nominated), and business/investment visas. Eligibility: Common...
